A pilot study on levels of organochlorine compounds in human milk in Nigeria.

Concentrations of some persistent organochlorine compounds (OCC) in human milk samples from Nigeria are determined. Apart from the commonly detected insecticide residues in Nigerian environment (DDT-complex, HCH-isomers and HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were also found in four out of the thirty-five samples analysed; the values varied from 0.32-0.62 mg/kg milk fat. In general, concentrations of the insecticides were low. p,p'-DDD was not detected in appreciable and quantifiable levels.